EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - Renowned doll makers Tammel announced today that the company plans to mass produce a new line of President Obama family dolls, featuring Barack and Michelle, as well as daughters, Malia and Sasha.
Tammel CEO Bryan Tonstock, explained, "We've seen the popularity of white, middle class Barbie, Ken, Skipper, and Midge decline in popularity as our country becomes more multi-cultural. We want to promote our popular President's family, especially among liberal consumers, particularly female parents and grandparents, who may fondly remember playing with our iconic dolls."
When asked about the current trend of ethnic dolls, Hispanic Teresa, African American Christie, and Steven (Christie's boyfriend), Tonstock remarked, "We are going to continue to develop a whole multicultural neighborhood of friends and Ken, including two Russian and Asian friends, Natasha and Mei, with more ethnic dolls in the planning stages."
Tonstock refused to discuss the licensing agreement between President Obama and the company over the rights to use the likenesses of himself and his family, but an industry source commented with just one phrase, 'cha-ching!".
The introduction of the Presidential dolls may be a move to increase Obama's popularity, especially among families . President Obama's approval rating is currently 41%, down from a high of 69% in January 2009. His lowest rating, 38%, has occurred several times, most recently in October, 2011.
Concluded Tonstock, "If sales go as anticipated, we expect, by 2106, that every U.S. household will have kids playing with Obama family dolls."
